Alec Baldwin ‘Displayed Reckless Behavior’ on the Set of Rust, Prosecutors Allege

Actor Alec Baldwin “displayed reckless behavior” on the set of Rust prior to the accidental shooting that killed a crew member, according to new documents presented in the involuntary manslaughter case against him. In the filing, New Mexico prosecutors provided more details about Baldwin’s “erratic” behavior, and the conditions on the set of the film, which they say led to the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.

In previous statements and interviews, Baldwin insisted he was not responsible in Hutchins’ death, placing the blame on the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed. The 27-year-old Reed is currently serving 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter, after she was found guilty of placing a live bullet in the gun Baldwin held, which the actor claims went off without his finger on the trigger.

Prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Erlinda Johnson claim in the filing that, in the days leading up to the fatal shooting, Baldwin engaged in “erratic and aggressive” behavior on the set, including “horseplay” during training with a revolver. They also claim that Baldwin fired a blank round at a crew member to establish a line of sight while filming a scene.

The Evidence Against Alec Baldwin

Last year, prosecutors revealed that video taken on the set of the film showed Baldwin using a gun to direct crew members where to stand. He is also seen firing a blank round after filming of a scene had ended. They also claim Baldwin showed a short temper on the set, demanding crew work faster to perform additional takes. The 66-year-old was also seen cocking and decocking the revolver he was holding without cause, a violation of safety protocols.

While Baldwin’s behavior in these instances does not directly relate to his actions during the shooting, prosecutors intend to use them to establish that he demonstrated reckless behavior and created a dangerous environment on the set of the movie. Alec Baldwin was also a producer on the film, which would lend some weight to the argument that his behavior created a lax environment. His attorneys have not yet commented on the new filing.

Related

Rust First Images Reveal the Late Halyna Hutchins’ Vision for Alec Baldwin Western

First images from the upcoming western, Rust, have been released more than two years after the on-set accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins.

Baldwin had been charged with involuntary manslaughter in February 2023, but those charges were dropped in April of that year. Prosecutors warned at the time that the charges may be refiled, based on the evidence. He was indicted on the charges once again in January of this year, and pleaded not guilty, claiming he never pulled the trigger on the vintage Colt revolver that discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. He is set to go to trial on July 9 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the shooting took place.

Alec Baldwin resumed filming Rust last year, completing filming in May, some 19 months after the 2021 shooting of Hutchins. In the western, Baldwin plays Harland Rust, an aging outlaw who comes to his grandson’s aid when he is sentenced to death for accidentally killing a rancher. The film also stars Jensen Ackles (Supernatural), Travis Fimmel (Vikings), and Frances Fisher (Titanic).